Correlations and path analysis of morphological and yield traits of cactus pear accessions

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the relationships between morphological characteristics and fresh matteryield of cactus pear and identify their direct and indirect effects. Nineteen accessions were evaluated for the following traits: number(NCl), thickness (ThCl), length (LCl) and width (WCl) of cladodes, plant height (PH) and plant width (PW), and green matter yield(GMY), dry matter yield (DMY) and dry matter percentage (DM). The correlations were estimated, and path analysis was performedby the method proposed by Wright. GMY was strongly correlated with DMY, allowing indirect selection for this trait. NCl and ThClhad a direct effect on GMY and can be used for indirect selection or as secondary traits in the selection process. Given the lack ofsignificant correlations between MS and DMY, it is possible to select a palm variety with high DMY and DM.

Keywords

• Genetic variability
• selection
• semiarid
• Opuntia ficus indica.